News Releases

REF NO.: 130

SUBJECT:

Memorial University’s Harris Centre teams up with the Irish Loop Development Corp., to host workshop on the Holyrood Pond Research Project.

DATE:

Dec. 5, 2005

The Irish Loop Development Board in co-operation with Memorial University’s Harris Centre will host a workshop in Economic Zone 20 at the St. Vincent’s Community Centre, Dec. 6, 2005. Holyrood Pond represents a unique water and eco-system on the island of Newfoundland. It is a 21-kilometres long saltwater fiord separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow strip of beach near St. Vincent’s. The pond is open to the ocean several times a year when the water levels rise high enough to threaten local roads. Research by Mike Connell of Memorial University in the 1970s suggested over 32 species in the pond at the time. The pond with its unique ecosystem, and diversity of species could form the basis of a pilot integrated management plan.

The purpose of this workshop is to identify the vision and research requirements for such an integrated management plan.

Local stakeholders, including the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Holyrood Pond Development Corporation and Memorial University researchers from the Ocean Science Centre, Department of Biology, Department of Anthropology and the Marine Institute will meet to discuss new research opportunities, and the beginning of the research plan.

“This workshop is a true reflection of the Harris Centre mandate, of brokering the tremendous capacity of the University to the community. We look forward to the discussion generated at the workshop and hope we can leave with some research partnerships that will assist in a management framework for Holyrood Pond. We believe this type of project is important to sustainable planning and shows the real value of applied research,” said Dr. Robert Greenwood, director of the Harris Centre.

“Holyrood Pond Development Incorporated is pleased to partner with the Harris Centre in exploring research opportunities on Holyrood Pond,” said Sheila Lee, corporation chairperson.

The Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy and Development (The Harris Centre) was approved by the Memorial University Board of Regents on Sept. 8, 2004and announced Oct. 1, 2004. It is named in honour of Memorial University scholar and president emeritus, Dr. Leslie Harris. The Harris Centre is tasked with co-ordinating and facilitating the university’s educational, research and outreach activities in the areas of regional policy and development. It works with all faculties and departments within the university and serves as a reliable point of access for all stakeholders seeking to work with the university in activities related to regional policy and development.